I could not keep count on The Spinners during Dark Star at Giants Stadium.I don't know how they spin for 45 minutes.I was dizzy just watching them

Dark Star is a metaphor for Mind.

Sometimes the mind meanders, sometimes it is clear light. It is all Mind, and it is limited if any element is absent.

I call this version the Higgs Field of Dark Stars. Lots of space to navigate through, some freely, some by picking up more mass.

That people can differ so remarkably in responding to a piece of Art - whether a painting, a novel, or in this case a song - is a wonderful thing and not to be taken lightly. If our tastes were all the same, think how banal would be this miraculous life!

I refer to this tantalizingly opaque "Dark Star," this brooding, intellectual meander that is unlike any other "Dark Star" you'll probably ever hear. I don't know of another like it. This version is transcendent and essential, a weird tangential musical exploration on a cold December night in Cleveland, Ohio in 1973.

But deadheaddave in a review from June 2010 disparages this "Dark Star", suggests it's listless, flat, uninspired.

And quinn_76 calls it "aimless meandering".

Both are right! For themselves. While others, myself included, find something else in it, are powerfully taken by it, we slake our thirst for the Unknown by listening to it.

Is the Mona Lisa smiling in delight or smiling in rueful resignation? Or is she smirking? Does she possess knowledge of the psychedelic self? Is David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest" a masterpiece, his generation's "Ulysses"? Or a bloated, self-indulgent tome full of run-on sentences? Is Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" a profane yawp of gibberish? Or the foundational poetic text for the second half of the 20th century?

To make vast pronouncements of pedantic certainty is to miss the point of the Dead and of Art itself.

Or as Whitman said - "Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I contain multitudes."

Here's hoping I don't incur too much wrath here, but I have to respectfully disagree with all that's been said about this show, (“deadheaddave”'s below review notwithstanding). Indeed, it is '73 Dead (and even some of the worst played shows of '73 can still hold a robust candle to several top-shelf shows played from other years (even ’72 & ’77) in the Dead's stupendous catalog. Still, one has to give credit where credit is due… and offer constructive criticism when due.

To start, the first set of this show in Cleveland offers a standard menu of ditties that are played with an underwhelming level of gusto and inspiration, all things being equal. Allow me to cherry-pick a few numbers from the first set to illustrate my point. Not unlike many folks, I love the TLEO’s of '73, but this one feels sluggish and phoned-in, and is far inferior to others played this year (look to 2/15, 3/22, 9/7, 11/9, 11/30 for examples). Bobby Ace's seemingly strained vocals on GSET are not his best offering, and the ending segment of the song never quite broaches the jamming apex of other versions of the year (2/26 & 11/9 come to mind). The CHINA->RIDER paring to close the first set is executed pleasantly enough, but can one name one in '73 that isn’t? (And there are far superior versions offered from the year: 3/22, 3/16, 11/11, 11/14 come directly to mind....)

The second set (not surprisingly) offers more ear glitter than the first, but still ultimately leaves something to be desired—based on all the hype it gets. In order to avoid filibustering the obvious point of discussion for this set, I'll be curt and address the elephant in the room: DARK STAR! Clocking in at nearly 44 minutes, this version on the surface should be every Head's wet dream, and then some. Well… perhaps. Although this particular DS far & away exceeds its quota in terms of length, that doesn't necessary mean it does so in terms of performance. I’m of the persuasion that the long-winded duration and over-hyped chitter-chatter have blindsided some listener’s objective judgment. Get the cotton of yer ears folks! Yes, it’s a very long DS from the greatest band to have graced this earth, but there are many versions that should—and do—rank above this one. It should go without saying, but nevertheless I’ll divulge: 2/27/69, 2/13/70, 9/19/70, 2/18/71, 4/8/72, 5/11/72, 8/27/72, 9/21/72… to name a few). But I digress. Anyway, for this DS on this particular night, a little more focus, and a little less aimless meandering would have made this one a much stronger candidate for the best of 1973. At one point around a 1/4 of the way through this DS, Mr. Lesh tries to inject some adrenaline into this otherwise lifeless beast by plucking Phil bombs in the hopes of making something happen. It seems as if the boys begin to follow his lead, but it is only fleeting, and the half-baked jam wanders off again into a sedated directionless fixture of sound. In truth, this version never hits the peaks and valleys of other versions from this year (2/15 & 11/11 are the obvious ones, while10/19 & 12/18 deserve an honorable mention). The EYES that follows the DS, while good (even the worst Eyes of '73 is still stellar!) is nowhere near the best of the year. (Look to 2/15, 2/22, 5/26, 9/7, 10/19, 10/29, 11/11 for prime candidates).

Again, not to pee on everyone's parade here, but in a year like 1973, we all need to be ever mindful about being very objective about every show played in this incredible year. Of course, I’ll concede that this is a decent show (It's 1973, by jove!), but compared to some of its brothers & sisters of the same year, it pails IMHO.

I urge everyone to please listen objectively and perhaps you'll see my point...which is that this show seems to get inordinately praise precisely because of its extraordinarily long DARK STAR, and, in-turn, has garnered much hype, be it warranted or not.

I have a suspicion some curious listeners unfamiliar with certain shows or year(s) might stumble upon a show like this one, partly because it has so many reviews and it has attracted so much discussion that a snowball effect began to take shape. If I were less familiar was an era and was looking for a ’73 show, I might listen to this one first without having the benefit of hearing others, and be blown away by this night bar-none! After all, it’s a Grateful Dead show played in ’73, which, all told, is high caliber music. But if I had already listened to the likes of shows from 2/15, 2/19, 3/22, 3/24, 10/19, 10/21, 11/11, 11/14, 11/17, 11/30, 12/2, 12/18, 12/19… well… well…

But each to his/her own. My two cents on this one has been written. BTW, this show is only the second most overrated show of ’73 IMHO… the prize for #1 goes to 6/10!

Be kind, love thy neighbor, and listen to the Grateful DEAD!

p.s. All grievances aside, I must mention the HERE COMES SUNSHINE from this night. This version is one to behold, indeed! This one should be placed among the likes of 12/19, 11/30 & 11/17.

The other day i was listnening to this this show on my mp3 player at work, i started to bounce, bebop, and boogie to another time and place, this show overwhelms me words fall short. H.R. may ask for a tox. screen, a 56 year old engineer shouldnt be that happy!!!!!!!!!!!!

this show is a perfect example of why i saw 300 shows thats right i said 300 .shows like this are one in a hundred.this is why i kept going back.some shows are so good the joy oozes out of your skin.at the end of this show the cheers for an encore were ecstatic. ihave had some of my most wonderful experiences during and right after a show like this.now i just read a review which said dark star sucked. the feedback for me during dark star was worth thje price of a ticket. thats whart makes the world go round. just keep listening and remember.

Excellent version of Here comes Sunshine. All around good show from 73

Nothing unusual in the set list but everything is played to perfection. The Dark Star-> Eyes > Stella is spectacular especially that Dark Star... out of this world. Jerry doesn't start singing until 25 minutes in!Phil does some strange, strange things.

I can see why some people don't like this Dark Star, but that doesn't mean others don't. I like it because it is very different. Yes they are just noodling in "A" for most of it but I really like the electric piano and the laid back, sleepy energy. But it is also obvious why some people don't like it...to each his own.

Was a wonder cool evening in november in oHIo that evening.... The Dead played on and on so many oncores.... and was well into the night.... a concert of concerts......

I'd like to ask which version of HCS you think is better than this one?

Played through a Yamaha receiver w/direct source into bi-wired Paradigm Monitor 9 speakers. Sorry boys and girls, but this ones a real sleeper, in fact to quote Jerry its a "clunker". Sound quality is superb with nice clear, rich bass. This show should be of interest to Phil Zone people (which I am generally not) as Phil is the only guy who showed up here with any enthusiam. Energy level throughout is generally uninspired, even by Dead standards. 1st set is well played with a decent "Loser" and an actually very nice "China Cat". Weir's playing in the transition is real nice in left channel. My overall problem is the band just doesn't feel like their into it. Jerry's new ax Wolf is a main highlight of this period of 73' and his fret work is nice in some spots. HCS has more of a bluesy/funky feel rather than trippy feel which I prefer. This is not one of the best HCS, but its good. Phil bombs abound in this show which, for me, is just about the only real highlight here. I know I'm going to take some heat for this, but honestly this is one of the worst "Dark Stars" I have personally ever heard, and I have heard more than a few. The first 20 minutes are not really the song at all but just some space noodling. Mercifully Jer drops in the first verse without much fanfare, and then it continues to go nowhere for another 20 some minutes w/ Phil intermittenly assaulting our ears (and my woofers) w/ bass sustain and feedback. This is generally what musicians do when nothing else is really happening musically. Bottom line this is basically a great band going through the motions. Don't get me all wrong this is solid on some basic levels. However, if your looking for greatness in fall 73' this is not it. Thanks to Charlie Miller and Archives.

This Dark Star opens the doors to dimensions that are folded into the three dimensions we know of, whole universes compacted into a space a billion times smaller than a proton. (Google "string theory") There are jazzy segments, there's deep space, there's Phil assaulting the audience with one barrage after another (post-verse), there's a segment where they seem to be moving towards The Other One, and there are segments of heartrending beauty.

Some time ago I reviewed a Dark Star that I thought was this one with a review entitled "More not necessarily better." I don't see my review here now or for any other copy of this show. Also, I don't understand how I could have been writing about this show, since I wrote something to the effect that Dark Star meandered for a long time before the verse and then dissolved into a mess during which they were barely playing for minutes at a time. That couldn't be further from the truth here. They keep up the intensity for the full 43 min, and in fact they could have gone longer. The one thing I did notice is that Weir either is missing entirely from Dark Star or is mixed so low as to be inaudible. His guitar reappears at the beginning of Eyes, but disappears again, although his singing is loud and clear.

China>Rider is the highlight of a rather blase first set, while HCS is an all-star version, giving a taste of what is to come. Eyes is fine, but nothing special for that period. On the strength of the Dark Star, however, this has to get 5 stars.

just felt i needed to add something to an earlier review: it's been said already, but i can't stress enough how much you HAVE to hear this HERE COMES SUNSHINE. this is one of the most passionate and astonishing performances i've ever heard from JJG. starting around 8:06 to 8:59 has at times nearly brought me to tears. i know i sound like i'm overselling this, but this is the best version of this song EVER. there is a reason 1973 is so highly regarded.

This is top shelf DS. My favorite of them all.

Phil and Keith ... damn

and the best HCS too.

this dark star becomes as it is named, a black hole in time and space drawing everything into it and spitting it out into......??? who knows where. not us obviously.

also kieth is freaking killing it with the organ on this one.

every limb in tandem. every stroke executed in the group mind. so, so, so very sweet.

the grateful goddamned dead boys and girls.
the grateful goddamned dead.

This, along with 11/11, 11/17 and 12/2, are imo the best shows of the year, as I prefer late'73 to earlier '73. When I think of "The Honey Year," I think of late '73, and even the late February Winterland shows from the following year. The Dead's sound was just amazing, and this show represents that sound perfectly. The whole show is killer. It has something for everybody, including one of the last truly great Dark Stars, at least of the 70's. Also, the China Cat>Rider is not to be missed, under any circumstances.

I believe the Dead peaked in Nov. and Dec. of '73, and they peaked again in May and June of '77(Gee, could it be because Donna was absent for a majority of Nov/Dec '73, and actually sounded good in '77? Not really. Actually I'm a fan of hers, but it just seems like ripping Donna is the cool thing to do here.). You can't really go wrong with any show from these months, and this show is a perfect example of why.

This Star is epic, and that is not an understatement. Epic in scope, epic in sound quality, epic in ideas - but for me, following the vocals (24 mins in!?) it becomes one of the most spacey, dissonant passages of music you'll ever hear. Trust me on this one... it's literally like floating directionless through space and coming close to a catastrophic disaster on several occasions... and yet (once your mind has been mashed to a lumpy paste) you still end up out of it alive (just)

5 Stars for the Star alone mateys. Stay merry

This Star is epic, and that is not an understatement. Epic in scope, epic in sound quality, epic in ideas - but for me, following the vocals (24 mins in!?) it becomes one of the most spacey, dissonant passages of music you'll ever hear. Trust me on this one... it's literally like floating directionless through space and coming close to a catastrophic disaster on several occasions... and yet (once your mind has been mashed to a lumpy paste) you still end up out of it alive (just)

5 Stars for the Star alone mateys. Stay merry

Seems like I was one of the few un-initiated to this show, but somehow it did get under my radar. In any event, I'm a '77 guy by nature, and often less impressed with '73 than most, so I hope my 5-star rating for this gem means that much more.

To me, it's NOT about the DarkStar, which I think is fantastic and mellow and spacey for about half the length of its 45 minute running time before it devolves into the usual '73 nonsensical meandering noise, but the real gorgeous stuff is to be found in nearly every other song, with the addition of the subtraction of Donna--missing while delivering/caring for child. (BTW: I don't always hate on Donna...it's just nice to hear a show or 2 w/out her sometimes in the way out-of-tune harmonizing).

So the thing to really watch out for here is the hands-down best-ever jazz-driven epic performance of HERE COMES SUNSHINE, made even better by Jerry really belting out the lyrics, and yes, one of the all-time great CHINA>RIDER's you'll ever hear. Flawless transition into the MLB jam. There's also a dazzling EYES and a simply beautiful rendition of ROW JIMMY that stands with some of the best the band ever played.

This show is now getting a ton of play and I'm still finding new reasons to love it every time. Just an amazing performance--for any year!

...so I was doing the dishes tonight and I was thinking, "I wonder what the longest known Dark Star is like" I 'googled' it and within minutes I'm thrown in the middle of (according to wikipedia) the longest uninterrupted Dark Star! Remember when you had to know somebody who knew somebody who knew somebody???..things are great for us now,no?

`

~^|\_@|@_/|^~
~<->/<->\<->~


I recommend adding this show to your 1973 GRATEFUL DEAD collection.

I also recommend buying the 1973 Box Set containing the "Complete" Winterland shows from November 9, 10, & 11. And Cinninati Gardens, Cleveland, December 4, 1973. It's a 9 disc Box Set. Here's the link:

http://www.dead.net/features/release-info/wait-over-winterland-1973-box-has-arrived

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Thanks for the Love from 1973.

for the love of all that is good and holy why are there splices between seamless jams in china rider and dark star etc.....WTF????

Absolutely outstanding. One of my favorites for sure. All-time great versions of HCS, China->Rider, Dark Star (43 mins!)->Eyes. Hell yeah! The sexiest Here Comes Sunshine you will ever lay ears on. Guaranteed.

anotherdavid, they are the same place. The Convention Center has two halls, Public Hall (also known as Public Auditorium) and Music Hall. People often get them confused. Music Hall is where they played in March '81. I don't know about the missing verses, etc. but I do know that this is Public Hall.

It's so amazing to be able to take a Dark Star or a St. Stephen from 72 and hold it up next to one from 77 or 82, roll them around on your tongue and decide which one really smacks you hardest right in the pleasure lobe.

Truly a blessing, this Archive. God bless you.

Oh me oh my what a version we have here. I was actually on the fence about this entire show until I heard China Cat. This show cooks. I'm not a bit fan of Keith, but if you like Keith this show is for you. Get this now.

so here I am thinking I know all there is to know about winter 73, been around the block a few times, and then I stumble on this beauty, Do you know how good it feels to discover a gem like this right under your thumb?? well of course you do, since your reading this! This show/era is exciting simply cause it makes you wonder what if, and how bout this, and the possibilites are endless, Fraternal to 11-11-73, I don't know but it's a rich idea. Thank you Archive, GD.

This show is just SICK!! I actually had to play this Dark Star so load that I could feel every note (Which wasn't so hard to do - Phil is the God of Thunder) Sickness - Sickness and more Sickness!!

Just so tight as a band at this point, they play like fingers on the same hand - One Mind.

This may be the best Dark Star ever - I don't throw that out easily, I understand 9-21-72, 11-11-73, 8-27-72, 4-24-72, 10-26-89 and others have strong cases as well.

killer73 best darkstar of that week of course

this sunshine is a scorcher d/l and smile 5 stars

Awesome. This is a standout even among the whole late '73 run that's terrific. Even Keith was thrilled Donna took some time off! The boys just cook.

Awesome. This is a standout even among the whole late '73 run that's terrific. Even Keith was thrilled Donna took some time off! The boys just cook.

The best period for "Dark Stars." This show is a great example of how late '73 is superior to early and mid '73, which are fine, don't get me wrong. But late '73-'74 is my favorite slice out of the great '72-'74 pocket.

I know Cap'n DD mentions this-but for anyone who cringes and reaches for the volume knob during Donna's off key howls & screeches-she is absent. (I've often wished for a Donna filter.)

This really is one of the greatest Dark Stars of all time, not only because it's 40 minutes long, but rarely do you hear one so out-there it sounds like the Dead are trying to split the universe in half. This is not overrated!!

what a star baby!

top 3 ever!

This is my favorite Dark Star of all time, folks. Yes, 11/2/69 may be more melodic and 5/11/72 may be more adventurous, but this version is so great that it nearly defies description. Put this with all-time great jams such as the 5/21/74 Playin' and the 2/13/70 DS>That's It>Lovelight segue.

P.s: What the hell is anotherdavid talking about? It's obvious that the guy hasn't even listened to this copy of the show. A 5 min Eyes? Look at the text file: Eyes lasts 13:57. Whatever hashish this guy is on, I don't want to know about it.

This is, in fact, the Cleveland Convention Center! The Dead did not play Public Hall in 1973...check deadbase. Where's the other 22 minutes to Dark Star??? Also the SBD patch is of significant lesser quality... This copy does not have any verses in DS. Eyes is also chopped down to 5 min. I used to have an old SBD boot of this show and the DS filled one side!!! Please some one either correct me or this show because it was fantabulous...

will delve ;)

To hear Phil's atonal bomb-dropping on this contemplative Dark Star is pure enjoyment. I'd also like to give kudos to Keith. The guy clearly had some serious jazz chops, and it's really good to hear him playing something other than acoustic piano for a change. The second half of set II is excellent musical exploration. True stream-of-consciousness playing. A must-have.

Listen to the crowd in the background this is a hot one.... Donna is missing from the band that night and they do not seem worse for the wear at all..

The seastonesque dark star is one of the longest I have heard but its the eyes and the sugar mag that rock this.

This is a sick show yall. These guys are clearly feeling good tonight. Sound quality is A+ especially for 73. Jerrys distortion bites it during Loser but I dont care really, Im 22, Im graduating college in 3 months, and have no idea what im doing with my engineering degree, except for write GD reviews while I should be doing circuit analysis homework. Have a nice show.

This is a sick show yall. These guys are clearly feeling good tonight. Sound quality is A+ especially for 73. Jerrys distortion bites it during Loser but I dont care really, Im 22, Im graduating college in 3 months, and have no idea what im doing with my engineering degree, except for write GD reviews while I should be doing circuit analysis homework. Have a nice show.

This is a sick show yall. These guys are clearly feeling good tonight. Sound quality is A+ especially for 73. Jerrys distortion bites it during Loser but I dont care really, Im 22, Im graduating college in 3 months, and have no idea what im doing with my engineering degree, except for write GD reviews while I should be doing circuit analysis homework. Have a nice show.

easily one of the best. just when i couldn't get over how much this smokes, it just started smoking more and more and wouldn't stop. great sound too.

Transition show for my ears. You hear the sound and some jazzy aspects of '73 but it is played more like a '74 show. In particular the China>MLB Jam>Rider and the Sugar Mag. The Dark Star is one of the best from the Keith era. Quality is fantastic. I agree, would have been a better DP then the Hixon but it has been in circulation so maybe Dick wanted to introduce us to something new.

Edit 9/17/04> I have been downloading shows like crazy and this one cannot get out of my CD player. Absolute must get for Jerry jamming. Also Beware! 1) Phil is turned wayyyyy up at times. I have had speaker problems because of the ending to the China>Rider. 2) The AUD patch at the end of HC Sunshine is a huge buzz kill. A better sounding patch is needed because all SBDs I have heard have this cut.

Dick picked 12/19 as his very first release, and it's certainly a great show, particularly the Playin. But the Other One gets a little too dissonant for my tastes, plus it's a bit short. So, IMHO, I would have released THIS show instead.
What a stupendous show! If this doesn't light up your Xmas tree, check your pulse. I never get tired of this show! Excellent playing throughout. There is the fine, fine Dark Star>Eyes>China Doll played on 2/15 and 2/22, and the Dark Star>Stella Blue>Eyes from 10/30. But this Dark Star>Eyes>Stella tops them all for me. Phil is really on, and Jerry is really inspired. Get out this show during the holidaze with Egg Nog! BTW - this is the 3rd longest Star as listed. 5/11 is the longest, anyone know the 2nd longest? My notes say 11/19/72 Dark Star is the runner up. Anyone?
Dr. Flashback ;-)

One of my favs from '73. Aud patches aren't too bad at all. Longest Sunshine ever, and in my opinion, the best ever. 3rd longest Darkstar, its good, but i like 2/15/73 darkstar better. Eyes>stella b jam is unreal and the encore sugar mag finishes it off like nobody's business. If you don't have it... its only 3 more discs.

...this is something really spacy, building for quite a time before taking form; this version, though not my favorite from `73, is certainly a must hear-it drips with that honey and keith warbles off the piano, onto his keyboards, and into the nether reaches with the rest of the boys.

In regards to an earlier reviewers comment that this is the longest Dark Star - it's not. I quote from the text file:

"The Dark Star is the third longest known at 43:28"

F.Y.I.

From begining to end this one is a gem. The Dark Star here is probably my favorite from the 1973-74 period.

the longest dark star; that says somethin'

what a grate china>rider